Innovative upcycling creates new bridge for Puhata Road

The Puhata Road Bridge near Herekino, a vital link for a local farm, has had a much-needed upgrade using upcycled materials from a bridge in Whangārei also undergoing a transformation.

The original single lane bridge was constructed around 1950 but has now been replaced with materials upcycled from a much larger road bridge in Whangārei. The deterioration of the Puhata bridge had resulted in severe corrosion on its steel pieces and substantial damage to its timber deck.

Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA) works with the three district councils in Northland, including the Far North District Council. Because of its cross-council focus the NTA hatched the innovative idea to use materials from one bridge and upcycle them to fix another one.

The eco-friendly solution involved using sections of the Waitoi Bridge in Whangārei to upgrade and replace the Puhata Road Bridge in the Far North. Sections of the Waitoi Bridge were cleaned, repaired, and repainted prior to being reinstalled at Puhata Road, replacing the deck of the much smaller bridge.

This innovative thinking not only offered substantial cost savings but also demonstrates the council's commitment to waste minimisation and reducing the effects of climate change.